Breather bag



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Au@ 27, H929.

R.r E. wiLsoN Patented Aug. 27, 1929,

UNITED'- sTA-TES .PATE-NT] OFFICE.

RoBE'Rr-E. WILSON, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.` AND-,JOHN n." MOORE AND GEORGE WQ CHENIOEK, OF WHITING, INDIANA. AssIGNoRs To STANDARD *OIL COMPANY, or

WHITING, INDIANA, A CORPORATION 0F INDIANJL BNEATIIER BAG.

Application led April 1,

The present invention relates to improvements in breather bags intended for use in` connection with vented storage' tanks for volatile liquids, such as gasoline, and will be fully vunderstood from the following description, illustrated by the accompanying dra\vings,'in which:

Figure 1 is afragmentary vertical sectional view through a breather bag and associated Weighting device embodying the prescntinvention; and

Fig. 2 is a developed plan of Athe counterpoise member and associated parts, some of which are broken away. Y

In the prior application of one of u's, Scrial No. 702,029. filed March 26,-1924, is described a breather bag supported about its equator and provided with a rider or weight which exerts a variable force upon the bag, such Weight beingr counterpoised by a weight and chain in such a manner that the chain exerts a variable counterpoising force depending upon its position with respect to supporting pulleys. The present invention relates more specifically to an improved counterpoisingr weight and means for supporting and guiding the same.v

A breather bag is supported about its equator at l1 and provided With a superimposed Weight 12 which may suitably be formed of metal tubing. The Weight 12 is partiallyl supported by a plurality of cords or ropes (of which one is shown in full), preferably four in number and attached symmetricallyto the Weight 12. The cords 13 pass over suitable pulleys 14 so arranged that the cords are brought alongside each other. The ends of the cords 13 are attached to the counterpoise member 15.

The counterpoise member 15 comprises an elongated strip or belt of leather, webbing or similar flexible material and has affixed thereto along its length Weights 16 which are preferably of lead suitably formed as bars arranged transversely of the strip 15 at spaced intervals. At the -free end of the strip is attached a Weight 17. On the upper side of the strip are mounted pulleys 18. The belt 15 is adapted to be supported b a lurality of rollers 19 carried by suita le rame and arranged to define a horizontal path 20, terminating in an arcuate path 21,

remote from the pulleys 14, The arrange' 'of successive Weights.

1927. serial No. 180,317.

ment is such that, when the' breather bag is fully inflated practically all the lead weights 16 are off the supporting rollers 19 so that a maximum counterpoising effect 'is exerted on the weight 12.

Above-the belt l5 is arranged a guide 22 which is adapted tocooperate with the pulleys 18 so as to maintain the beltll in approximately the center ot'l the supporting rollers 19. The guide. 22 .may .suitably be a pipe provided with a longitmlinal slit, b v means of which supporting members 23 may be connected thereto, said'supporting' members being` suitably .mounted upon the housingrr for the'breather bag.

As explained l in the prior application abovereferred to, the Weight 12 exerts aforee upon the breather bag so as to maintain the pressure infthe vapor spaces of the storage tanks orv the like at substantiallyv atmospheric pressure. Asthe bag deflates` it is found that the effective pressure of the weight 12 should be progressively increased, and this is effected by the movement of the` lead Weights 16 fronrtheir dependingr position into the horizontal path where they exert no counterpoising effect on the weight 12.

It may be pointed out that the increase of pressure which should be exerted by the weight 12 is not strictly proportional to the fall of this weight and in order to maintain the pressure in the storage tanks more approximately at atmospheric pressure, the Weights 16 may be adjusted either by spacing them irregularly or by varying the mass The degree of variation necessary obviously differs considerably with each installation and it is not therefore possible to give accurate instructions which would hold for every particular case.

While the invention has been described with reference to a particular specific example, it must be understood that it is not limited thereto except by the terms of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In combination, .a breather bag, a Weight applied thereto, an elongated counterpoise member for said Weight comprising a flexible strip with weights attached thereto, and means .for supporting an increasing number of said weights as the breather bag deiates and vice versa,

" substantially horizontal position,

'2. Incombination, a breatherbag, va Weight adaptedA to ride thereon, a varying counterpoise for saidweight, said-counterpoise coinprisinga Weighted -flexible member, and :mea-ns for supporting avarying amount of said'weiglited flexible'member in a substantially horizontal path in such -a manner that theyl exert no counterpoising force on said weight; Y

3. A breather bag, a Weight adapted to ride thereon, a lcountevrpoise for said Weight constituted by a flexible belt with Weights atiached thereto, horizontal rollers adapted to support a varyingamount of said belt in a guide means on sai'd belt and `fixed guide meansl adapted to cooperate with first of said guide means for rollers.v

4. In combination, a breather bag,- a weight adapted toride thereon, a counterpoise for said weight, a plurality of flexible means connecting said counterpoise to a plurality of points of said Weight, a plurality of rollers adapted to support a variable portion of said counterpoise in a horizontal position, guide rolls carried by said counterpoise,

positioning said belt on said and fixed guide means 'adapted to cooperate with said 'guiderolls 5. In combination, a breather bag, a Weight-adapted to ride thereon, a counterpoise for said weight constituted by a ilexible belt-with Weights attached thereto, means for connecting'said belt to a plurality of points on said Weight, pulleys for said flexible means so arranged that a vertical' pull is exerted on said weight, a plurality of rolls arranged ina horizontal plane so as to carry a variable portion of said coun- .terpoise member, a plurality of pulleys said pulleys to maintain said" counterpoise in the-center of said rollers, and a Weight atthe end of said counterpoise. y Y f -6. In combination, a, breather bag a Weightadaptedjto ride thereon, a counter'- .poise for said weight,,said 'counterpoise comprisinga flexible belt with 1- series of Weights ible p with Weights attachedthereto, and

means for supporting an increasing'number of said weight-s as the breather bag delecls -and-vice versa. A

8. In combination, a breather bag mounted about its equator, a weight-adapted lo ride on its upper side, a varying vounterpoisefol said weight, said countcrpoise comprising a weighted flexible member,` and'means forv supporting a varying amount of said Weighted flexible member in a substantially horizontal path in such a inanner that it exerts no eou'utcrpoising force on said weight.

- 9. In combination, a breather bag mounted about'its equator, a- Weight adapted to ride thereon, a counterpoise for said Weight., said lbounterpoise comprising a flexible belt with a series of Weights mounted along its length, and means for supporting an increasing number of said Weights as the bag deflates, said Weights being of such mass and so located that the pressure Within the bag is maintained constant.

' ROBERT E. WILSON.

JOHN E. MOORE. GEORGE W. OHENIOEK.

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